How to Purchase a Domain from GoDaddy and Connect it to Shopify

This guide is designed to help you, whether you’re just starting out or need a little refresher. Here, we’ll walk you through the steps to buy a domain from GoDaddy and connect it to your Shopify store. Let’s get your store set up with a custom domain in just a few simple steps!

Step 1: Buy a Domain from GoDaddy

1. Visit GoDaddy.com:

- Open your browser and go to GoDaddy’s website.

2. Search for Your Domain Name:

- In the search bar, type in the domain name you want (for example, yourstore.com).

3. Add the Domain to Your Cart:

- If your domain is available, click Add to Cart.

4. Go to Checkout:

- Review your cart and choose how long you want to register the domain for (1 year is usually fine).

- You can also choose extras like privacy protection (optional).

5. Sign In or Create a GoDaddy Account:

- If you already have an account, log in. If not, click Create Account to set one up.

6. Enter Payment Details and Complete Purchase:

- Fill in your payment info and click Complete Purchase.

- You’ll get an email confirming your purchase – save that for reference!

Step 2: Connect Your GoDaddy Domain to Shopify

1. Log In to Shopify:

- Go to shopify.com and log in to your Shopify store.

2. Open the Domains Settings:

- In the Shopify dashboard, click Settings (bottom left) and then choose Domains.

3. Connect Your Domain:

- Click on Connect Existing Domain, type in your new domain (e.g., yourstore.com), and click Next.

4. Automatic Connection (Easiest):

- If Shopify detects it’s a GoDaddy domain, click Connect Automatically.

- Log in to your GoDaddy account when prompted and allow Shopify to make the DNS changes.

5. Manual Connection (If Needed):

- If the automatic option doesn’t work, you’ll need to do it manually:

- Log into GoDaddy, go to Manage DNS for your domain.

- Change the A Record to Shopify’s IP: `23.227.38.65`.

- Change the CNAME Record (www) to `shops.myshopify.com`.

- Save your changes.

6. Verify Connection in Shopify:

- Back in Shopify, click Verify Connection to confirm it’s set up correctly.

Step 3: Make the Domain Your Primary Domain (Optional)

1. Set as Primary:

- After connecting the domain, go back to Settings > Domains and click on your GoDaddy domain.

- Select Set as Primary to make it the main domain people see.

Step 4: Test Your New Domain

1. Check Your Site:

- Open a new browser tab and type in your domain (like `yourstore.com`) to see if it takes you to your Shopify store.

2. Wait for DNS Propagation:

- Sometimes changes take up to 48 hours, so if it doesn’t work immediately, just give it some time.

That’s it! Now you’ve got a brand-new domain connected to your Shopify store. If you need more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shopify or GoDaddy support!